Colossians 1:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

NIV: But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--

NASB: yet He has now reconciled you in His body of flesh through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—

CSB: But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him--

NLT: Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

KJV: In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

NKJV: in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

Though the Colossian believers were once evil in thoughts and actions, Jesus' death in a human body provided the sacrifice necessary to restore them. Paul has just mentioned reconciliation through Jesus in verse 20. There, Paul emphasized the blood and the cross. Here, he focuses on the death of Christ, with both verses speaking of the same sacrificial act.

Three reasons are given for Jesus to suffer a violent death. First, Jesus died to present us as holy, which means "set apart." We cannot be holy without His sacrifice on our behalf. Second, Jesus died so we could be blameless. While we will still sin in this life, His sacrifice provides forgiveness of our sins (1 John 1:8–9). Third, Jesus died so we could be above reproach. Paul spoke of being above reproach as a qualification for elders in the local church (1 Timothy 3:1–2). Here, however, the emphasis is on being "above reproach" in an eternal sense, based on what Christ has done, not our human efforts. The sacrifice of Jesus makes us right with God, something only He could provide.

Colossians 1:15–23 is an extensive praise of Jesus Christ. In this passage, Paul explains that Jesus is eternal, just as God is eternal, and all created things were created by Him, and through Him, and for Him. After describing Jesus as absolutely supreme, Paul then explains that it was His sacrifice which allowed the Colossians—and all saved believers—to be reconciled to God.

In chapter 1, Paul introduces himself, along with his co-author Timothy. As he often does, Paul gives thanks for what he hears about the faith of the believers in Colossae. Paul includes a prayer for their growth and spiritual strength. The letter then transitions to praise of Jesus, describing Him as absolutely supreme. All created things were made through, by, and for Him. And, since it was His sacrifice which saved us from sin, we can have confidence in our eternal destiny.

Colossians chapter 1 is mostly focused on describing Christ as supreme. Jesus is not only the God of creation, He is the ultimate authority over all created things. The penalty for sin has been completely removed because of His perfect sacrifice. These are foundational ideas which Paul will use to set up his later points. In chapters 2, 3, and 4, Paul will explain why contrary claims are untrue, and show the right way for Christians to live out what we believe about Jesus.

The book of Colossians describes Christ as superior to all other teachers, faiths, and philosophies. In this letter, written from prison, Paul once again tackles false teachings. Among these errors are claims that Christians need to give up all physical enjoyments, that they should worship angels, and that they need to rely on the wisdom of an elite few. These problems are consistent with an ancient heresy known as Gnosticism. In response, Paul explains that Christ is supreme, and sufficient for our salvation.

Accessed 5/2/2024 12:09:41 AM